(From the archives)
Context: This text exchange took place at the start of my first writer’s weekend I committed to take. Just before, I had been selling items on Facebook Marketplace to raise money for Krissie’s painting.
Friday
Percell, 5:05 pm:
Could I see the plates?
And would $40 do?
Mum is British so
You can imagine we have much
china.
This flower just happens to be
my favorite
I’m with my sister-in-law
Who is dying of cancer today
Poet, 5:21 pm: Peonies are my
favorite,
too! It has been hard waiting
for
people who say they will come
then don’t.
If you can come tonight,
Friday, forty would do.
Percell, 5:45 pm: waiting for
my sister to arrive
do not want to cut short time
to see her
I will come tomorrow early
or afternoon, if Saturday
works for you
Then I can stay with her
tonight
Poet, 5:52 pm: Monday would be
much better – anytime
between 9 am and 6 pm would
do.
Price would be $45.
My time Saturday is limited
My husband is away, and I fear
I will squander my writer’s
weekend
checking Facebook messages
Percell, 5:58 pm: I thought it
was $49 for all.
It says 10 settings, unless I
am reading it wrong.
Mon thru Thur I work 10 hour
days
6 am – 5 pm.
Poet, 7:04 pm: I did not mean
to underline.
Not sure why it did that. It
was
a discount.
I could text you when I’m
through groceries
Tomorrow.
Percell, 9:30 pm: Thank you,
Hon. Afternoon
tomorrow will be fine
I’ll leave Waupaca and head
east
when you say you’re back home
Just 20 min from me on 441
Saturday
Poet, 2:15 pm: Should be home
in 15 minutes
Groceries away by 2:45 pm. If
you could come
around then, would be great.
Percell, 2:32 pm: Hon, she was
airlifted to
Theda Clark here.
Not good
Can I come at 4:30 pm?
Still haven’t been able to see her yet
Poet, 2:59 pm: Of course.
I hope to nap then walk nearby
with my son. Give me a ring
10-15 min
before you arrive
To be sure I am here
Percell, 3:22 pm: I’m hoping
to get there still today
Honey
Percell, 4:07 pm : We still
haven’t seen her.
I think tomorrow may work
better.
Poet, 4:19 pm: I’ve written a
poem
and napped, so
recharged enough to flex
Poet, 6:25 pm: I’m up until at
least 9:15 pm if that helps.
I’ve set the dishes on the
table and have packing paper to wrap them in
And boxes
Percell, 8:33 pm: we are just
leaving the hospital
Doesn’t look like our girl
will make it
Another day
Praying and hopeful, but
it’s bad. If it’s ok I will
come
Tomorrow. I’m excited about
them so I’ll try to be there before 1 pm.
Poet, 8:39 pm: You bet. See
you tomorrow.
Sunday
Percell, 9:55 am: Is it
possible
To have the dishes already
boxed?
And someone put them in
My car for me? I have back
issues.
Her tubes are being pulled
today so I
trust you that they are as you
said
but I don’t have slot of time.
I have a $50 bill
Don’t worry about the $1.
You have been amazing to work
with.
Poet, 10:08 am: I can box for
you
And my son can carry.
We’ll be home
By 10:45 am.
Percell, 10:12 am: I will let
you know
When I leave.
Poet, 11:35 am: I’ve boxed it
up
And ready to go. I left one
set out
For you to see, that I can
Wrap up quickly. Here’s a
picture of
What I wrapped up. (The row of
Chipped ones are off the
fabric
Not included in the count
above.)
Percell,11:35 am: Oh it’s
beautiful
Thank you
It’s beautiful. They are
Pulling the plug at noon.
I’ll let you know.
Percell, 12:30 pm: We still
haven’t
Pulled it yet. This waiting
Poet, 12:46 pm: you’re good.
I will just be here doing paperwork.
Percell,1:26 pm: If it gets
Too late, let me know
Still hanging on
Percell, 1:52 pm: Is now
Too late to come
Poet, 2:00 pm: Now is
Perfectly fine with me
Percell, 2:02 pm: On my wAy
Percell, 2:50 pm: In the
Driveway. The wind is kicking
me.
If your son could bring out
That would be great.
Poet, 3:29 pm: In one of the
boxes
I brought out there’s a
quilted pillow sham
That sort of goes with the set
And inside it
A framed “Jesus and the Lamb”
And a sympathy poem I wrote
A while back and thought
appropriate
Given everything
Didn’t want you to think they
were there
By accident
